Nursery kids have a ball in the great outdoors
YOUNGSTERS who go down to the woods in Castlemilk are in for a big surprise.
A new outdoor nursery pilot programme is moving the classroom to Castlemilk woods so Glasgow’s children can learn and play in the great outdoors.
The Castlemilk outdoor nurseries programme – the Welly Wanderers – has been designed as a way to improve health and wellbeing, engagement with outdoor learning benefits.
It is a way to create more childcare spaces ahead of the Scottish Government’s expansion to 1140 hours of funded early learning and childcare by 2020.
At the launch, John Swinney, Deputy First Minister, said: “The Welly Wanderers is a brilliant example of the kind of innovative and exciting approach we need to enhance early years development, help nurture a passion for the outdoors and STEM at a young age and help close the attainment gap between children from the least and most deprived communities.”
The partnership programme is being delivered by the council, Inspiring Scotland and eight council and partnership nurseries in the Castlemilk area and allows almost 400 local children to play, learn and have great fun outdoors.
Councillor Chris Cunningham said: “There is a growing body of research that shows that children’s exposure to nature and active outdoor play improves physical and mental wellbeing and can help children to develop emotionally and improve learning.”